‘Free range’ needs to mean more than just space for Aussie hens

RSPCA Australia collects your personal information in order to achieve our animal welfare and related purposes. We may use it to provide you with information, services and products.

Without your information, we may not be able to provide you with the requested services or products, or with information about campaigns, activities, products and services that you may be interested in.

We may disclose your information to state and territory RSPCA organisations which are members of RSPCA Australia, and those organisations will use your information in accordance with their privacy policies. We will also disclose your information when legally required. In some cases we use third parties to manage our data collection and storage, some of who may store information overseas. Overseas recipients are located in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

For more details see our Privacy Policy which includes information about how to access and correct your personal information, and also how to complain if you think we have breached your privacy.

RSPCA Australia is calling on the Australian Government to ensure the new national standard for free-range egg labelling actually means higher welfare for the hen.

Public consultation on the issue is currently open for Australians to have their say on how labelling can increase consumer certainty about how eggs are produced and the RSPCA is eager to ensure the new standards are about more than just space and outdoor access.

“Good welfare is more than just the size of the range area – it’s about meeting all the behavioural needs of the hen, both inside and outside the shed,” said Ms Bertram.

The RSPCA is calling for the following requirements to be adhered to in order for eggs to be given the ‘free range’ label:

Hens that have access to the outdoors need:

· Easy access to the range

· Overhead cover to feel safe

· Shaded areas to protect them from the sun

· Palatable vegetation for foraging

· Space – 1500-2500 birds per hectare

The conditions inside the shed or barn need to provide:

· Nests for egg laying

· Perches for roosting

· Objects for pecking

· Space – max. 9 birds per m2

“We know Australians care about hen welfare and they want to be assured the label on the egg carton is a true reflection of how the hen is kept. Getting this standard right is vital for hen welfare and for consumer confidence in the egg industry,” said Ms Bertram.